Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • Christian martyr. A student of the Apostle John, he was burned at the stake during a period of persecution of Christians in Smyrna.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun Greek bishop of Smyrna who refused to recant his Christian faith and was burned to death by pagans (circa 69-155)

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Given that the blogger in question goes by the nickname Polycarp, it will be obvious how many potentially striking church history-related headlines I had to pass up...

    The Church Of Jesus Christ Has Begun Considering The Only True God James F. McGrath 2009

  • "Head better?" called Polycarp, half an hour later, when he went rattling past the house with the wagon, bound for the river bottom where they got their supply of wood.

    Lonesome Land B. M. Bower 1905

  • Polycarp, which is terribly boring and far more descriptive of the film.

    DVD Verdict 2008

  • It is stated that all the Churches of Asia, including some of the most distinguished members of the Church, such as Polycarp, and his own contemporary Melito, celebrated the Christian festival on the

    Essays on the work entitled "Supernatural Religion" Joseph Barber Lightfoot 1858

  • St Paul's Epistle to the Philippians [114: 2]; so that the notice is satisfied by the single Epistle to Polycarp which is included in the

    Essays on the work entitled "Supernatural Religion" Joseph Barber Lightfoot 1858

  • "Polycarp," he says, "is urged to declare 'Caesar is Lord;' he is bidden, and he refuses to swear by the 'genius of Caesar.'"

    The Ignatian Epistles Entirely Spurious A Reply to the Right Rev. Dr. Lightfoot 1854

  • These Early Church Fathers such as Polycarp, Ignatius, and Clement knew the Apostles personally and were appointed to shepherd several local churches.

    LDS Doctrine 2008

  • -- circumstances might arise which might nullify part of my plan, unless a clear account of the affair should ultimately come into the hands of some person whom I could trust not to make a fool of himself -- such as Polycarp, my solicitor, for instance.

    Hugo A Fantasia on Modern Themes Arnold Bennett 1899

  • "Polycarp," he said abruptly, "I'm going to need you.

    Lonesome Land B. M. Bower 1905

  • "Polycarp" included in the expression: "pervert the oracles of the

    A Reply to Dr. Lightfoot's Essays Walter R. Cassels 1866

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